Apparatus for casting material using a collapsible structure

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for rigidly locking together a collapsible structure including an outer clamping structure having first and second interconnected sides. The sides are spaced apart and each side receives one of a pair of form sides to be clamped. The facing surfaces of the first and second sides each have a stop defining a plane against which the edges of one of the form sides may be positioned. The outer clamping structure has at least one opening therethrough intermediate the sides. A wedge is positioned for engagement on opposite sides of each of the form sides from the first and second sides of the outer clamping structure. A coupling member movably extends through the opening and has an end coupled to the inner clamping member. A retracting and lock member retracts the wedge toward the first and second sides to thereby wedge the pair of form sides therebetween.

llnited States Patent [191 in 3,857,540 Ecker I 1 Dec. 31, 1974 1 APPARATUS FOR CASTING MATERIAL USING A COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE Division of Ser. No. 158,490, June 30, 1971, Pat. No. 3,705 ,220, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12,759, Feb. 19, 1970, abandoned.

Inventor:

US. Cl 249/48, 220/4, 249/219 W, 264/31 Int. Cl. E04g 13/02 Field of Search 249/4551, 249/219, 219 W, 194, 52; 264/31; 220/4 F References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 94,693 6/1960 Netherlands 249/48 Primary Examiner-Robert D. Baldwin Assistant Examiner-DeWalden W. Jones Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Christie, Parker & Hale [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for rigidly locking together a collapsible structure including an outer clamping structure having first and second interconnected sides. The sides are spaced apart and each side receives one of a pair of form sides to be clamped. The facing surfaces of the first and second sides each have a stop defining a plane against which the edges of one of the form sides may be positioned. The outer clamping structure has at least one opening therethrough intermediate the sides. A wedge is positioned for engagement on opposite sides of each of the form sides from the first and second sides of the outer clamping structure. A coupling member movably extends through the opening and has an end coupled to the inner clamping member. A retracting and lock member retracts the wedge toward the first and second sides to thereby wedge the pair of form sides therebetween.

16 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures 1 PATENTED UEC3 I I974 SHEET 2 0;. 5

PATENTED 1 I974 3. 857, 540 sum 3 [IF 5 FFJENTED T 1974 3, 857, 540

SHEET 0F 5 P NTEnnm 1 1974 sum 5 OF 5 APPARATUS FOR CASTING MATERIAL USING A COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a division of application Ser. No. 158,490, filed June 30, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,705,220 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12,759, filed Feb. 19, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to clamping devices for clamping together a pair of members and a method for using such clamping devices for fabricating structures out of a liquid concrete.

2. Description of the Prior Art 7 Structures, such as concrete columns or pillars and walls with doorways and/or corners, have long been cast or molded using a form or mold of the corresponding geometric configuration. The liquid, in an initial liquid state, is poured into the form or mold and then left to harden. After the hardening process is complete, the form is disassembled, leaving the desired upstanding structure.

A typical form or mold, useful in fabricating such structures, generally employs the use of a plurality of planar form sides tied together so that the edges from each of two formsides are effectively joined. Most geometrically configured forms can be fabricated simply by using the needed number of form sides and joining their edges at predetermined angular relationships.

The casting of concrete has posed a serious problem because of the need to reduce or minimize the ever increasing cost of labor and material. Also, construction of concrete structures pose special problems due to the large size of many of these structures.

Several different kinds of forms and techniques have been used in the past to cast concrete structures. First, it is quite common to facricate forms out of wood form sides by nailing them together. However, this fabrication technique is slow and costly. It is slow and costly because of the large amount of time involved to cut and nail the wood form sides together and because the form sides normally cannot be used over once or twice. An additional serious drawback is that when the cement is in a liquid state, the liquid tends to run out at the corners or joints in the form sides. This is true as it is virtually impossible to form a tight seal in the corner joints to prevent leakage.

To cut labor and material costs and reduce the time for fabrication, corner ties of various types have been used to clamp the wood form sides together. One type of clamp consists of a network of metal bars with a tie member at the joints of the metal bars to rigidly hold the bars together. For example, when making a foursided column form, a network of four metal bars is positioned around the wooden form sides at predetermined increments along the form sides. However, such devices are difficult to assemble and a certain amount of nailing of the form sides is still required. A most serious drawback of such devices is that there is leakage at the corners of the wooden form sides causing defective corners in the cement being cast. Additionally, support is only given to the form sides at the point where each network of metal ties is positioned.

Another type of prior art collapsible form is the magnesium wrap around column form. However, this form only comes in circular shapes and it must be cut to the desired length.

Another type of prior art collapsible form is known which has four large aluminum angles spaced apart and rigidly held in a fixed relationship by locking bars or column clamps. An angle fillet is provided in between each aluminum angle and a bolt is connected to the fillet for holding the corresponding angle and fillet together. After the aluminum angles have been rigidly affixed together by the column clamps, a number of panels are slipped in between the angles and fillets to form the actual form sides for the concrete form. A nut threaded on each of the bolts is then tightened to draw the angle fillet against the panels to thereby hold them in place in between the angle fillet and the corresponding angle sides. However, it should be noted that the sides of angle fillets are generally flat and press against the sides of the panel, and'as a result cannot be used to form a rigid form structure independently of the locking bars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for rigidly locking together a collapsible form structure. Included is an outer clamping structure having deverging first and second interconnected sides. Each of the sides is adapted for providing support for one of a pair of form sides to be clamped. In contrast to the above-mentioned prior art device, the facing sur faces of each of the first and second sides have a stop defining a plane against which the edge of one of the form sides may be positioned. The outer clamping structure has at least one opening therethrough intermediate the sides. A wedge is positioned for engagement on opposite sides of each of the pair of form sides from the first and second sides. A coupling member movably extends through the opening and has an end coupled to the wedge. A retracting and lock member retracts the wedge toward the first and second sides to thereby wedge the pair of form sides therebetween.

With such structure, the outer clamping structure and the wedge can be used to rigidly clamp a pair of form sides independently of any separate locking bars or the like. The stop defines a plane against which the edges of the form sides can be reliably repositioned each time the form side is placed into the clamping and wedging structure. Additionally, due to the fact that a wedge is provided for engagement with the form sides,

a stop and wedge provides a rigid structure for rigidly locking the form side in place.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the pair of form sides has a groove formed along the edge of the form side which engages the stop. The groove is a prefixed distance away from the edge so that when the form side is positioned in between the outer clamping structure and wedge, the stop provides a reference which allows the wedge to be positioned into the groove and thereby give secure rigidity to the form assembly during raising and lowering of the assembly.

Preferably, the wedge has first .and second spaced apart edges which engage and extend into the groove on each of the pair of form sides to thereby rigidly lock the form sides into place against the sides of the clamping structure.

Briefly, a method according to the present invention is for constructing a concrete structure having a chamfered corner utilizing a collapsible form which includes form sides and corner clamps, and assembled form clamps. Each corner clamp has a pair of interconnected and diverging side members, a wedge and a retracting lock member for drawing the wedge toward the side members. Interconnected are multiple form sides and at least one corner clamp thereby forming a portion of a form assembly for containing liquid concrete by the steps of positioning the edges of at least two of the form sides in between the side members and the wedge of the corner clamp and retracting the retracting and lock member of the corner clamp to drive the wedge into engagement with the form side and thereby rigidly lock the form side between the wedge and side members to form a rigid, multi-sided form assembly. Subsequent to the formation of the rigid, multisided form assembly, it can be positioned at the proper place and then an assembled form clamp is affixed to the multi-sided form assembly to thereby rigidly hold the form assembly in place-while pouring liquid concrete therein.

Also, a method according to the present invention is for constructing a cement puller having a chamfered corner utilizing a collapsible form which includes the above form sides and corner clamps. Each corner clamp has a pair of interconnected and diverging side members, a wedge member and a retracting lock member for drawing the wedge toward the side members. A first and second corner tie is affixed along the opposite edges of the first form side to form a single form side assembly leaving freethe side member on one side of the wedge of each corner tie. The steps of the method are as follows: Position opposite first and second edges of a second form side in between the side members and wedge, respectively, of third and fourth corner clamps. Position third and fourth form sides, respectively, in between the wedges and the remaining side members of the third and fourth corner clamps. Actuate the retracting and lock members of the third and fourth corner clamps to drive the wedges thereof into engagement with the second, third and fourth form sides, thereby rigidly locking the form sides between the wedges and the side members to form a three-sided form assembly. Position the single form side assembly against the open end of the three-sided form assembly with edges of the third and fourth form sides in between the three side members and the wedge of the first and second corner clamps. Actuate the retracting and lock members of said first and second corner ties to drive the wedges thereof into engagement with the first, third and fourth form sides, thereby rigidly locking the form sides between the wedges and side members to form a foursided column form assembly. Positioning liquid concrete into the four-sided column form assembly.

The method in-accordance with the present invention for casting columns is of special importance. The method provides a labor-saving procedure which is of prime importance in todays high cost labor market. Thus, it ispossible to form a partial three-sided collapsible form assembly, position the form assembly about implanted steel reinforcing rods and then add the remaining single sided form assembly to complete the assembly. Considerable labor saving is achieved by eliminating the need for placing external locking members to hold the angles in place as required in the aforementask of placing form sides into the locked corner clamps is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are more clearly shown, and described below, with reference to the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a column form with form clamps and embodies the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top elevation view of one corner of the column form shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents an alternative embodiment of the form clamp and embodies the present invention;

FIG. 4 represents another alternative embodiment of the fonn clamp and embodies the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a form for fabricating a tilt-up panel and embodies the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a top elevation view of one corner of an alternate embodiment of the column form shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a steel reinforcing rod structure embedded in a floor about which the column form of FIG. 1 may be placed by practicing the method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is ajig for use in practicing the method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a three-sided column form assembly constructed practicing the method of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a single sided column form assembly constructed practicing the method of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an end view of a collapsible form structure having assembled form clamps placed around the collapsible form after assembly of the collapsible form;

FIG. 12 is an alternate embodiment of a collapsible form structure having an assembled form clamp added to the collapsible form structure after assembly; and

FIG. 13 is a sketch illustrating the way in which the form sides are positioned in the corner clamps when multiple corner clamps are positioned end to end.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A column form 10 is shown in FIG. 1 consisting of four flat, rectangular-shaped form sides 12. Each form side is clamped at two of its ends to an adjacent form side by means of one of form clamps, also called corner clamps, 14. Thus, a concrete column, rectangular in cross-section, may be fabricated by pouring liquid concrete into form 10, allowing it to harden and then disassembling form 10.

Liquid concrete as used herein includes any number of materials, each of which have the characteristic that it is initially in a liquid or semi-liquid state and after appropriate curing, harden and become solid.

This invention involves a method and apparatus for fabricating most desired types of structures out of liquid cement. Corner clamp 14 is an integral part of such method and apparatus. Thus, corner clamp 14 may be used to assemble forms or molds adapted for the fabrication of doorways, ends of walls, corners, and tilt-up panels (the latter being shown in FIG. 5 and described below) as well as columns.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, corner clamp.l4 includes a V shaped outer metallic locking member 16 having a pair of elongated planar sides 18. The sides 18 have ends rigidly joined together and the opposite free ends spaced apart from each other. The sides can be fabricated with any desired angular relationship therebetween. Thus, since corner clamp 14 is used with a form having a rectangular-shaped cross section, the sides 18 are disposed at 90 relative to each other. Each side 18 is adapted to receive in juxtaposed relation, an end portion of one of form sides 12. Thus, each outer locking member 16 is in juxtaposed receipt of the ends of a pair of form sides 12. This relationship establishes the desired geometric configuration of form sides in order to cast the shape of structure.

Corner clamp 14 also includes an inner metallic wedge 19. The wedge 19 is T shaped, having members and 22. The wedge 19 is elongated, extending along the entire length of the outer locking member 16. The member 22 is positionable so that it extends in between the sides 18 of the outer locking member 16 and has a face extending out of the V shaped outer locking member 16. The member 22 locks a form side in place against the sides 18 and prevents leakage of liquid from the form. The member 20 gives rigidity to the inner locking member. The member 20 extends per pendicular to member 22 and toward a vertex 24 defined at the intersection of sides 18.

Also of special importance in a preferred embodiment, the form sides 12 each have a notched goove 13 (see FIG. 2) into-which the two edges 22a of the member 22 of the inner clamping member extend. The notches l3 allow the wedge member 22 to interlock with the form sides and provide a self-contained, rigid structure. Thus the edges 22a of the wedge member 22 extends into the grooves 13 formed in the correspond ing form sides and, as a result, the member 22 forms a wedge extending diagonally in between the form sides to rigidly wedge and hold the form sides against the sides 18 and prevent slippage.

Also of considerable importance to the present invention are stops 18a provided along each of the opposing faces of sides 18. Actually the stop 18a is a series (only one being shown) of raised members affixed along the side 18 perpendicular into the paper as seen in FIG. 2, thereby defining a plane against which the end 12a of form side 12 may be positioned. The position of stop 18a is selected to that the edges 22a and 22b of the member 22 fit into the groove 13 formed in the corresponding form sides 12 each time it is reinserted and clamped. In this manner, the wedge 19 can be released allowing the form sides 12 to be removed and subsequently reinserted into the form clamp 14, the position of stop 18a permitting the edge 22a of the member 22 to be reactuated backprecisely into the groove 13. Thus the stop 18a forms a reference against which the end 12a of the form side 12 may be positioned. In addition, it will be recognized that the stop 18 a cooperates with the wedge 19 to help form a rigid structure. Due to the structure, the need for external ties and bracing while setting up the forms is eliminated. External bracing is only needed to hold the form together due to the much greater pressures of liquid material being poured into the form for casting.

Form clamp 14 further includes a plurality of metallic pins 26 spacially connected longitudinally along the free end 28 of member 20. Each pin is welded to a predetermined spot along free end 28. Each pin has a corresponding aperture 30 defined within outer plate member 16 through which the pin is movably positioned. Each pin contains an enlargement or head 32 which is larger than aperture 31]. Thus, movement of pins 26 through apertures 30 is limited in one direction by heads 32 and in the other direction by member 22 contacting the inner surfaces of sides 18. This relationship allows the lateral movement of the wedge 19 relative to outer locking member 16..

Each of form clamps 14 lastly includes a tie wedge 34 which forms means for forcibly moving the inner locking-member laterally toward outer locking member 16 until member 22 bitingly engages the inside of the pair of form sides 12 in juxtaposition with sides 18. The tie wedge 34 then locks (as will be explained below) the form sides 12 by maintaining the force which causes inner and outer locking member 16 and 19 to engage the pair of form sides.

Tie wedge 34 is substantially rectangular in shape and has an inclined surface portion 36. Within the inclined portion is an elongated slot-shaped aperture 38 adapted for sliding receipt of pin 26. The width of the aperture is larger than the smaller diameter of pin 26 but smaller than the enlarged head 32. An enlarged opening 40 is defined at one end of elongated aperture 38 at the low end of the tapered portion 36 through which the head 32 will pass for assembly and disassembly.

The tie wedge is used by positioning pin 26 through opening 40 and then moving the wedge in a direction so that the shoulder formed by the enlarged head32 is slidably moved up the inclined portion 36. As a result, the head 32 is neccessarily forced further away from the outer locking member 16 as it is progressed along the incline. The direct result is that the inner locking member is forcibly moved toward outer locking member 16 until member 22 forcibly engages the respective pair of form sides 12 in the position shown in FIG. 2. A further movement of the tie wedge 34 in the same direction causes an acute frictional engagement of head 32 with the inclined'portion, thereby effectively locking the two together.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the pins need not have an enlarged head. For example, the pins may have a pair of grooves along the sides into which the sides of the elongated aperture 38 in the inclined portion extend.

What has been disclosed is a wedge and head 32 which form a means for retracting and locking the wedge 19. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that other retracting and locking means may be used to retract and lock the wedge 19 in place. Thus, the pin 26 may be threaded and a nut threaded thereon to engage outer locking member 16 and draw the wedge into wedging relation with form sides 12.

It should now be obvious to those skilled in the art that column form clamps 14 may be used to assemble most any geometrically desired form or mold merely by using outerlocking member 16 having the appropriate angular relationship between its planar sides 18. Thus, FIG. 3 shows an angle less than by way of example.

An important aspect of the present invention resides in the absence of leakage between the clamped edges of-the form sides. As more clearly seen in FIG. 2, liquid material and/or water is prevented from leaking out between the free edges because of the engagement of member 22 with form sides 12 and the continuous contact of the inner locking member 20 along its longitudinal extent with the form sides. Thus, even though only a couple of tie wedges are used in correspondence with pins 26, the engagement force of member 22 with the form sides is substantially constant along its longitudinal extent.

Another important aspect of the present invention resides in the inherent chamfering of the edges of any structure formed. This is a direct result of the angular signed to engage the form sides and form a wedge therebetween to rigidly hold the form sides in place against the sides 18 apart of the structure in the grooves 13 in each form side into which the edge of the wedge is inserted.

FIG. shows the form clamps l4 employed in the assembly of a tilt-up panel form. The exact same principles are involved as in the use shown in FIG. 1. Here, however, only a pair of clamps 14 are used to clamp three form sides 12 at right angles so as to form three sides of a form of rectangular cross section. The threesided form is then positioned with its open side in juxtaposition with walls 42. A fourth form side 44 is placed in juxtaposition with the walls 42 on their other side with midportion 46 of form side 44 disposed between the walls 42.

A form side tie bolt 48 rigidly connects the form side 44 to the form side 12 in parallel relationship, the bolts passing through corresponding apertures 50 in the above two form sides and secured by nuts 52 (shown only on one end) on the bolt ends. A completed form is thereby attained. The hardening liquid poured into the form and allowed to harden has the effect of pinning the walls 42 together.

Refer now to the alternate form clamp shown in FIG. 6. Form clamp shown in FIG. 6 is essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 2 except that a spring 60 is added to normally bias or force the wedge 19 to the right or away from the sides 18 of the outer locking member 16.

To this end, spring 60 is a coil compression spring having one end acting against the free end 28 of member and its opposite end acting through 'a washer 64 against the opposing faces of the sides 18. Thus when the tie wedge 34 is deactuated, the coil compression spring 60 will tend to force the wedge 19 to the right away from the sides 18 and thereby allow the form sides 12 to be easily positioned between the wedge 19 and the opposing faces of the sides 18.

It will be understood to those skilled in the art that other types of springs can be used for actuating the wedge 19 away from the sides 18. For example, a bent or arcuate-shaped leaf spring can be positioned in between the diverging sides 18 and the free end of the member 20 of the wedge. With such an arrangement, a hole can be provided through the leaf spring through which the pin 26 passes. The leaf spring then bears against the member 20, normally forcing the wedge away from the sides 18.

FIG. 6 also shows another alternate embodiment of the invention wherein a pair of guides 66 and 68 are provided to aid in positioning one of the form sides 12 in proper relation in between the side 18 of the outer locking member 16 and the wedge 19. The function and purpose of the guides 66-and 68 will be disclosed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Consider now a method for constructing a cement pillar and embodying the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an end view of an assembled form structure 102 having the components shown in FIG. 1. Affixed around the outside of the assembled form assembly 102, and placed after assembly 102 is formed, is an assembled form clamp assembly 104. Form clamp assembly 104 includes four rectangularshaped bars 1040 which are interconnected at their corners or points of intersection by clamps 104b. Clamps 10 1b hold the rods tightly against the form assembly 102 so that during the extremely high pressures created by liquid concrete therein, the form assembly 102 is held tightly and prevented from deforming.

Clamps of the assembled form clamp type are well known in the art for rigidly clamping and holding a form structure to prevent deformation. For example, see US. Pat. Nos. 1,687,976; 2,112,868 and 1,632,141.

Consider now a method for constructing concrete structure in accordance with the broad aspects of one embodiment of the present invention. The collapsible form structure includes four form sides 12 and four corner clamps 14 as seen in FIG. 1, all generally represented at 102 in FIG. 11. The method also includes the use of assembled form clamps 104. Each corner clamp has a pair of interconnected and diverging side members, a wedge and a retracting lock member for drawing the wedge toward each side member, all 'of which has been shown and described and depicted with reference to FIG. 1. Multiple form sides are interconnected using the corner clamps. The step of interconnecting the form sides includes the steps of positioning the edges of the four form sides in between the side members and wedge of each of the four corner clamps and subsequently actuating the retracting and lock member to drive the wedges into engagement with the form sides and thereby rigidly lock the form sides between the wedges and members to form a rigid multiple-sided form assembly as depicted in FIG. 1. Subsequent to these steps, a series of assembled form clamps 1.04 are affixed along the length of the form structure 102, each form clamp 104 being affixed around the multiplesided form assembly 102 to thereby rigidly hold the form assembly in place while pouring liquid concrete therein. Preferably, the form assembly is then stood on end as seen in FIG. 1, thus extending perpendicular to the paper as seen in FIG. 11 and liquid concrete is poured into the form and allowed to cure. The assembled form clamp 104 holds the multiple-sided form structure 102 in place under the high pressures of liquid concrete. Subsequently, the assembled form clamps 104 are removed and the retracting and lock members I are deactuated .to withdraw the wedges and allow the form sides to be removed.

The sequence of assembly is important and should be noted in connection with the inventive concepts of the invention. By constructing the form structure 102 before afiixing the assembled form clamps 104, the form assembly can be assembled in any position and assembly is much easier. Thus, for example, if the assembled form clamps were used to hold the corner clamps and then the form sides were added, it would be very difficult to position the form sides in place in the corner clamps.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of an end view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Included is a three-sided form assembly 102. Thus. only three form sides 12 are interconnected by two corner clamps. Subsequent to the assembly of the three-sided form assembly 102', assembled form clamp 106 is affixed to the three-sided form assembly 102'. The assembled form clamp 106 includes three rectangular bars 106a similar to those described with reference to FIGLll with clamps 10619 for interconnecting the members 106a at their points of intersection. The assembled form clamp 106 includes a tie bolt 1060 for holding the open ends of the assembled form structure against outward movement. The structure of FIG. 13 is preferably laid horizontally with the open ends extending upward as seen in FIG. 12. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the ends of the structure shown in FIG. 12 are generally positioned in abutment with forms or other means for containing the liquid concrete in between the U-shaped structure depicted in FIG. 12. The method of constructing the form of FIG. 12 would include the steps of first assembling the form sides and corner clamps to form the form structure 102' in the manner described above and subsequently affixing the assembled form clamps 106 to rigidly hold the structure 102 against deformation while pouring liquid concrete therein.

Thus, what has been depicted and described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 is a method for forming a multiple-sided, collapsible form structure in which the form assembly is first formed utilizing at least two form sides and at least one corner clamp of the general type depicted in FIG. 1. Subsequent to such assembly, assembled form clamps are affixed to the assembly to thereby rigidly hold the assembly in place without deformation during pouring of liquid concrete.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a side view ofa form depicting one way in which the corner clamps can be laid end to end to form a continuous form structure. Thus, one of the form sides 12 is depicted bridging the ends 14a of two corner clamps 14 laid end to end.

Consider now a method for constructing a cement pillar having chamfered corners in accordance with the present invention. The method involves the formation of a collapsible form utilizing the corner clamps and form sides shown in FIG. 1 forming the column form around embedded steel reinforcing rod structure 80 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 depicts an embedded steel reinforcing structure 80 embedded in a floor and about which a collapsible form is to be constructed and cement is to be poured.

The method involves the use ofa layout jig'shown in FIG. 8. The layout jig includes a raised bed 72 which includes two spaced-apart, elongated members 72a. The members 72a have an upper surface lying in a common plane and the outer edges of members 72a are spaced apart a distance which is less than the width W (see FIG. 1) of one of the form sides 12. The layoutjig 70 also includes a lowered side bed 74 on each side of the raised bed 72 which includes a plurality of members 74a extending out from the sides of the members 720. The upper surface of the members 74a lie in a common plane, that is, lower than the upper surface of the members 72a by an amount which is slightly greater than the thickness T (see FIG. 1) of one of the sides 18 of the in FIG. I to proper length and width. Although not essential to the present invention, preferably the form side 12 is formed of wood.

2. Saw or otherwise form a groove 13 a prefixed dis tance away from the edge 12a of each of the form sides to match th edge 22a of the wedge 19 as described hereinabove.

3. Lay a first form side on the raised bed 72 of the layout jig allowing the edges 12a to overlap or extend beyond the outer edges of the raised bed 72.

4. Position first and second corner clamps, one on each side of the first form side with the sides 18 in between the first form side and the corresponding Iowered bed 74.

5. Position the second and third form sides in be tween the wedges 19 and the remaining sides 18 of the first and second form clamps 14.

6. Actuate the wedge 34 of the first and second form clamps to drive the wedges thereof into engagement with the groove 13 of the first, second and third form sides thereby rigidly locking the form sides between the wedges and sides 18 to form a three-sided form assembly as shown in FIG. 9.

7. Remove the three-sided form assembly of FIG. 9 from the layout jig 70. i

8. Position a fourth form side on the raised bed 72 of the layout jig with the edges 12a of the fourth form side 12 extending beyond the raised bed 72.

9. Position third and fourth form clamps 14 on each side of the fourth form side with the sides 18 thereof in between the fourth form side and the corresponding lowered bed 74.

l0. Place blocks, such as and 82 shown in FIG. 10, in between the remaining side members 18 and the wedges 19 of the third and fourth form clamps 14 in order to allow the tie wedge 34 to be actuatedand wedge the fourth form side 12 in place.

I 1. Actuate tie wedge 34 of the third and fourth form clamps to lock the blocks 80 and 82 and the fourth form side 12 rigidly together and thereby form a fourth form side assembly as shown in'FIG. 10.

12. The third and fourth form clamps are separately and securely affixed to the fourth form side 12 by .wood screws 84 or the like as seen in FIG. 10.

I3. The tie wedges 34 are deactuiated thereby releasing the corresponding wedges 19 of the fourth form side assembly and thereby releasing the blocks 80 and 82. The blocks 80 and 82 are then removed, leaving an unused side 18 on both the third and fourth form clamps.

14. The three-sided form assembly is positioned upright as seen in FIG. 9 around the implanted steel reinforcing rod structure 80 shown in FIG. 7.

15. The single form side assembly shown in FIG. 10 is then positioned against the openends of the threesided form assembly with the edges of the second and third form sides in between the unused sides 18 and the wedges 19 of the third and fourth form clamps. It is this step that brings out the importance of the inclined members 66 and 68 shown in FIG. '6. If the three-sided form assembly has the form sides 12 diverging and the edges of the form sides extending beyond the free sides ill 18 of the form clamps in the single sided form assembly, the inclined surface 66a of the inclined member 66 will tend to force the diverging form sides 12 inwardly. Similarly, if the form sides 12 of the three-sided form assembly converge and the edges are inward of the free sides 18, the inclined surface 68a of the inclined member 68 will tend to force the form sides 12 of the threesided form assembly outwardly into proper relation with the free sides 18 of the single form assembly. Thus, preferably, a plurality of inclined members 68 are fixed along a line parallel with the free ends 12a and 12b of the three-sided form assembly shown in FIG. 9 and a plurality of inclined members 66 are positioned along the sides 18c and 18d of the corner clamps shown in FIG. 10.'As the single-sidedform assembly shown in FIG. 10 is positioned against the three-sided form as sembly shown in FIG. 9, the inclined members 66 and 68 properly position the free ends 12a and 12b of the three-sided form assembly thereby allowing thestructure to easily be assembled.

16. The tie wedges 34 of the second and third form clamps are now actuated to drive the corresponding wedges 19 into engagement with the second, third and fourth form sides, thereby rigidly locking the form sides between the wedges and side members to form a foursided column form assembly around the reinforcing steel.

17. The liquid concrete is poured into the thus formed four-sided form assembly and allowed to set up and form the column form.

What is claimed is:

1. Collapsible apparatus for rigidly locking together a collapsible form structure comprising:

a. an outer clamping structure having diverging first and second interconnected sides, facing and diverging surfaces, one on each of the sides, for engaging and supporting one of a pair of form sides to be clamped, a stop affixed on each of said surfaces and spaced away from the edge of the respective side opposite from the interconnection, each stop defining a plane against which the edge of one of such form sides may be positioned, the outer clamping structure having at least one opening therethrough intermediate said sides;

b. a T" shaped wedge comprising an elongated, substantially fiat rectangular-shaped wedge member in between the planes formed by the diverging surfaces and a leg member intersecting the wedge member comprising first and second spaced apart sharp corners on the wedge member each associated with a different one of the diverging surfaces to engage and wedge in between such pair of form sides and thereby lock the form sides in place against the diverging surfaces, said sharp corners each being defined by two further surfaces on the wedge member, the planes of each such two further surfaces each having a diverging angle with respect to the associated surface of said first and second sides;

c. a coupling member movably extending through said opening and having an end coupled to said leg member; and

d. a retracting and locking member for retracting said wedge toward both said diverging surfaces to thereby wedge and hold such pair of positioned form sides against the facing surfaces.

LII

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the facing surface of each of said first and second sides is substantially flat and against which one of the pair of form sides to be clamped is positioned.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sides are at right angles to each other.

4. Collapsible apparatus for rigidly locking together a collapsible form structure comprising:

a. an outer clamping structure having diverging first and second interconnected sides, facing and di verging surfaces, one on each of the sides, for engaging and supportingone of a pair of form sides to be clamped, a stop affixed on each of said surfaces and spaced away from the edge of the respective side opposite from the interconnection, each stop defining a plane against which the edge of one of such form sides may be positioned, the outer clamping structure having at least one opening therethrough intermediate said sides;

b. a wedge positioned for engagement in between such pair of positioned form sides so as to wedge the form sides against the respective facing surfaces;

c. a coupling member movably extending through said opening and having an end coupled to said wedge;

d. a retracting and locking member for retracting said J wedge toward both said first and second sides to thereby wedge and hold such pair of positioned form sides in between the facing surfaces; and

e. resilient means coupled in between said outer clamping structure and said wedge for nornally urging said wedge away from said first and second sides.

5. A collapsible form side assembly comprising:

a. a pair of form sides, each having an edge and an elongated groove formed in the side along said edge a prefixed distance from said edge; and

b. a corner tie, the combination comprising:

1. an outer clamping structure having diverging first and second interconnected sides, each side being adapted for providing support for one of said pair of form sides to be clamped, facing surfaces, one on each of said first and second sides, a stop affixed on each of said surfaces, each stop defining a plane against which one of said edges of such form sides may be positioned, the outer clamping structure having at least one opening therethrough intermediate said sides;

2. a wedge positioned for engagement in between said pair of form sides so as to wedge the form sides against the respective facing surfaces;

3. a coupling member movably extending through said opening and having an end coupled to said wedge; and

4. a retracting and locking member for retracting said wedge toward both said first and second sides to thereby wedge the pair of form side members therebetween, the prefixed distance of said groove from said edge of each of said form sides being such that when said edge engages the stop, the retracted'wedge extends into and engages said grooves and thereby rigidly locks said form sides in place.

6. A collapsible form as defined in claim 5 wherein said wedge member has first and second spaced apart sharp corners which engage and wedge in between the grooves of said first and second form sides and thereby lock said form sides in place against said first and second sides, said sharp corners being defined by two surfaces on the wedge member, each having a diverging angle with respect to the form side corresponding to the corner which it defines.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said wedge comprises a T shaped member, the means for coupling being coupled to the leg of said T shaped member.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second sides are at rightangles to each other.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim comprising resilient means coupled in between said outer clamping structure and said wedge for normally urging said wedge away from said first and second sides.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said wedge member comprises an elongated, substantially flat, rectangular-shaped member facing in the direction of such diverging angle,

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said wedge has a first side facing the diverging first and second sides and a side facing away therefrom, and wherein said coupling member is affixed at the first side of said wedge, the second side of said wedge being substantially without protuberance.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the second side of said wedge is substantially smooth for casting meterial thereagainst.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said wedge has a first side facing the diverging first and second sides and a side facing away therefrom, the second side of said wedge being substantially without protuberance.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the second side of said wedge is substantially smooth for casting material thereagainst.

15. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said wedge has a first side facing the diverging first and second sides and a side facing away therefrom, and wherein said coupling member is affixed at the first side of said wedge, the second side of said wedge being substantially without protuberance.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the second side of said wedge is substantially smooth for casting material thereagainst. 

1. Collapsible apparatus for rigidly locking together a collapsible form structure comprising: a. an outer clamping structure having diverging first and second interconnected sides, facing and diverging surfaces, one on each of the sides, for engaging and supporting one of a pair of form sides to be clamped, a stop affixed on each of said surfaces and spaced away from the edge of the respective side opposite from the interconnection, each stop defining a plane against which the edge of one of such form sides may be positioned, the outer clamping structure having at least one opening therethrough intermediate said sides; b. a ''''T'''' shaped wedge comprising an elongated, substantially flat rectangular-shaped wedge member in between the planes formed by the diverging surfaces and a leg member intersecting the wedge member comprising first and second spaced apart sharp corners on the wedge member each associated with a different one of the diverging surfaces to engage and wedge in between such pair of form sides and thereby lock the form sides in place against the diverging surfaces, said sharp corners each being defined by two further surfaces on the wedge member, the planes of each such two further surfaces each having a diverging angle with respect to the associated surface of said first and second sides; c. a coupling member movably extending through said opening and having an end coupled to said leg member; and d. a retracting and locking member for retracting said wedge toward both said diverging surfaces to thereby wedge and hold such pair of positioned form sides against the facing surfaces.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the facing surface of each of said first and second sides is substantially flat and against which one of the pair of form sides to be clamped is positioned.
 2. a wedge positioned for engagement in between said pair of form sides so as to wedge the form sides against the respective facing surfaces;
 3. a coupling member movably extending through said opening and having an end coupled to said wedge; and
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sides are at right angles to each other.
 4. Collapsible apparatus for rigidly locking together a collapsible form structure comprising: a. an outer clamping structure having diverging first and second interconnected sides, facing and diverging surfaces, one on each of the sides, for engaging and supporting one of a pair of form sides to be clamped, a stop affixed on each of said surfaces and spaced away from the edge of the respective side opposite from the interconnection, each stop defining a plane against which the edge of one of such form sides may be positioned, the outer clamping structure having at least one opening therethrough intermediate said sides; b. a wedge positioned for engagement in between such pair of positioned form sides so as to wedge the form sides agaiNst the respective facing surfaces; c. a coupling member movably extending through said opening and having an end coupled to said wedge; d. a retracting and locking member for retracting said wedge toward both said first and second sides to thereby wedge and hold such pair of positioned form sides in between the facing surfaces; and e. resilient means coupled in between said outer clamping structure and said wedge for nornally urging said wedge away from said first and second sides.
 4. a retracting and locking member for retracting said wedge toward both said first and second sides to thereby wedge the pair of form side members therebetween, the prefixed distance of said groove from said edge of each of said form sides being such that when said edge engages the stop, the retracted wedge extends into and engages said grooves and thereby rigidly locks said form sides in place.
 5. A collapsible form side assembly comprising: a. a pair of form sides, each having an edge and an elongated groove formed in the side along said edge a prefixed distance from said edge; and b. a corner tie, the combination comprising:
 6. A collapsible form as defined in claim 5 wherein said wedge member has first and second spaced apart sharp corners which engage and wedge in between the gooves of said first and second form sides and thereby lock said form sides in place against said first and second sides, said sharp corners being defined by two surfaces on the wedge member, each having a diverging angle with respect to the form side corresponding to the corner which it defines.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said wedge comprises a ''''T'''' shaped member, the means for coupling being coupled to the leg of said ''''T'''' shaped member.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second sides are at right angles to each other.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 comprising resilient means coupled in between said outer clamping structure and said wedge for normally urging said wedge away from said first and second sides.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said wedge member comprises an elongated, substantially flat, rectangular-shaped member facing in the direction of such diverging angle.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said wedge has a first side facing the diverging first and second sides and a side facing away therefrom, and wherein said coupling member is affixed at the first side of said wedge, the second side of said wedge being substantially without protuberance.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the second side of said wedge is substantially smooth for casting meterial thereagainst.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said wedge has a first side facing the diverging first and second sides and a side facing away therefrom, the second side of said wedge being substantially without protuberance.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the second side of said wedge is substantially smooth for casting material thereagainst.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said wedge has a first side facing the diverging first and second sides and a side facing away therefrom, and wherein said coupling member is affixed at the first side of said Wedge, the second side of said wedge being substantially without protuberance.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the second side of said wedge is substantially smooth for casting material thereagainst. 